SIS Students丨Huang Xuechun Receives Offers from University of Oxford and University of Cambridge
Personal Information
Huang Xuechun, a probationary member of the Communist Party of China (CPC), is a Grade 2017 undergraduate majoring in English at the School of International Studies (SIS), Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU). She was awarded the 2018-2019, 2019-2020 National Scholarships, and the First-class Scholarships for Outstanding Students of SYSU for three consecutive years. From 2019 to 2020, she served as the Deputy Secretary of the Youth League Committee of the SIS and was awarded the title “Excellent Youth League Cadre of SYSU”. She has received offers to study the Second Language Educational Studies at the University of Cambridge and Applied Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition at Oxford University.
1. Study: Self-Awareness, Confidence and Accumulation
“We should first have a clear understanding of ourselves, know clearly what our goals and aspirations are in our chosen direction. Then we should cultivate related comprehensive abilities, demonstrate our most prominent advantages and build a distinct professional image.” Four years of continuous practice and accumulation can explain why Huang can be admitted to Oxford and Cambridge.
Talking about why she chose applied linguistics and second language acquisition as her future major, Huang pointed out that the idea derived from her interest in language, education, research and exploration. As a child, she aspired to become a teacher. After majoring in English in college, she deepened her love for English in the process of learning and practicing. Therefore, a major that combines language theory and language education catered to her will. In particular, she mentioned her experience of working as a tutor at the Writing Center while studying theories of writing in her sophomore year. While learning by doing, the process granted her with a novel experience and the awareness of combining theory and practice in the process of learning. The Creative Writing Course she participated in in her senior year also left her a deep impression with the writing training in this course improving her practical ability and deepening her recognition and expectation of her future major.
Huang candidly offered sincere suggestions to other SIS students. She believed that the most important in the process of pursuing one’s goals is perseverance. Even the road forward is not the one we might expect, we should treat it seriously, focus on the process, correct our biases in practice and find out what we truly want. In order to excel, we need to first do well in our major, which is the most direct way to prove your learning ability. In addition, participating in various activities based on our ability and interest is also of vital importance. What’s more, accumulating experiences by constant participation could also help us navigate our future path.
2. Research Experiences: Earnestness and Profoundness
Studies, activities of student unions, work as a student assistant, competitions, scientific research and public service......? How to balance a variety of activities and tasks well at the same time and stand out from the enormous, Huang shared her thoughts and secrets – “Interest first, then responsibility and also make the best use of time. During this process, I can not only get rich experiences but also improve my comprehensive quality and ability.”
Huang said that she gained valuable experiences from all the activities she participated in. Although she got overwhelmed sometimes when having to deal with so many things, she still felt fulfilled and joyful and experienced the sense of achievement in doing practical exploration. When facing various tasks, she would plan in advance to ensure an appropriate allocation of time and immediate action, and to handle things with an attitude of “No pains, no gains”. She admitted that she felt exhausted when hardships came in her way, but her sense of responsibility always supported her to complete every task perfectly.
In terms of scientific research, Huang shared her experience of working as an assistant for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Research and Newspaper Reading Group and of writing her graduation thesis. In her words, doing scientific research is a process of seeking truth from facts, and one must remain assiduous and complete each step in a down-to-earth, objective and rigorous manner. She also encouraged students to seize every valuable scientific research opportunity in college.
Her rich experiences have trained her abilities in various aspects, such as communication, expression, listening, teamwork, problem-solving. They have also helped her explore her interest and enabled her to possess a broader vision and a stronger sense of responsibility. She encouraged students to take an active part in activities based on their own interests and abilities and to do their best within their capability.
3. Mission and Sentiment: Acting as a Role Model
Huang served as the deputy secretary of the Communist Youth League Committee of the college and secretary of the Communist Youth League branch of her class. She regarded these experiences as her spiritual beacon and wealth. These experiences enabled her to truly experience a sense of collective honor. In her work, she could spot what she commonly would ignore. She paid attention to the concrete progress of the development of the country. The work she engaged in broadened her vision, deepened her understanding of the connection between the country and individuals, and expanded her spiritual pursuit and vision. She had a deeper insight into the combination of her future and the destiny of the country and pondered deeply about what missions and responsibilities she should shoulder as a Communist Party member.
Huang stated that she would always set an example and play a good vanguard and exemplary role of a Party member in her future education career. Harboring the belief of “cultivating talents for the Party and for the country”, she would give full play to her personality charm, cultivate students with her expertise and influence them with good conducts just like her teachers did. She would always keep in mind the SIS’ talent cultivation concept— “love for the nation with an international vision”. While studying abroad, she would remember the duty as a SYSU graduate, strengthen her abilities in many aspects, take an active part in cultural exchange activities, communicate with foreigners in a friendly and self-confident manner. In addition, keeping her missions in mind, she would act as a responsible young college student in the new era.
“Where there is a will, there is a way,” Huang shared this motto from her teacher. She will always take it as her motto to try more and explore more. There is a long way to go, and she will march forward with perseverance, diligence and steadiness.
